Flexible arch supporting sole



. Mai-ch 22, 1938. JD. c. HUBBARD 2,111,666

FLEXIBLE ARCH SUPPORTING SOLE Filed April 25, 1936' f I, III/III/II/III Ill/II/l/I/I 1/1 14E Inven for D010 GHubbard q I I Patented Mar. 22, 1938 UNITED: STATES PATENT OFFICE Y f 2,111,666 v V ARCH SUPPORTING SOLE Don diiubbara, Auburn, Maine I Application Apr-i1 25, 1966,. Serial No. 76,421

9' Claims. (01. 36-76)" My present invention relates to improvements in shoe soles embodying an adequate and comfortable arch support.

The problem of providing such a support may be approached indifferent ways for in certain instances the support required may be essentially remedial of a specific foot condition, although generally, it is required thatitprotec't even normal arches from shocks and strains. 7

My invention is particularly concerned with this protective phase of the problem and the provision of such a support without interfering with the appearance of the shoe (specifically the sole) and its comfort (specifically its flexibility) 1 5. so that such protection may be generally'used.

It will be appreciated that the requirements of such a support will vary with different types of shoes which are too numerous for detailed discussion. For that reason, I have described my invention with particularreference'to moulded rubber solesincluding a heel and an arch sup-- port which preferably are moulded integrally therewith, although my invention may be in whole or in part embodied in any shoe to provide a reinforcement commensurate with its require ments.

Throughout the drawing and specification, like reference numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts, and in the drawing:

3O Fig. 1 is a side view of my novel shoe form. and

arch support. 7

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view of a modification characterized by a concealed metal support.

Fig. 4 shows another modification of my invention in which the arch supporting features of Figs. 1 and 3 are combined and which illustrates the adaptability of my concept to different constructions.

' Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of Fig. 3 illustrating further variations in the concealed metal support which are combined for convenience, and V 5 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional illustration of other modifications.

A moulded rubber sole I includes a heel 2, an arch protecting or supporting member 3, and a sole projection 4 extending rearwardly of the 50 break line of the sole. These members (the heel 2, the arch support 3, and the sole member 4) may be moulded integrally with the sole l as shown in Fig. 1 and are preferably tapered forwardly to provide a comfortable support in the 5 same plane as the forepartof the sole I, while the support 3 and the sole member 4 must also be formed with reference to the last on which the shoe is made and as the member 4 extends rearwardly of the break line of. the sole and is shaped with reference to the curve of the foot. 5 the foot is well supported. a 7

As shown in the drawing, the front edge 5 of the heel 2 and the rear edges 6 of the sole projection 4 are beveled and pointed to present braces I and 8 respectively. I form. these pointed braces 10 1 and 8 substantially in alignment with the center line of the heel 2 and shank 9.

The arch support 3 is formed with a V-shaped recess Ill in each of its ends and I form the arch support 3 so that the recesses l0 partially flank 15 the pointed braces 'I and 8 to provide a definite V longitudinal support due to this overlap while the resulting V-shaped grooves I0 ensure the desired flexibility.

The grooves l0 may be as narrow as convenient for the beveled edges 5 and 6, each of which defines one edge of the grooves II]? and the normal fiexation of the sole prevents these grooves from picking up or retaining pebbles and the like. As shown in Fig. 6, I may form the front end of the arch support 3 with a bevel 3 to prevent any possibility of the wearer being tripped.

While a sole, such as I have just described, possesses all the desired qualities for many embodiments, I have shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 certain other modifications that illustrate further advantages and indicate the adaptability of my invention toall footwear in which it is desired to include arch supports. 35

Frequently, as is shown in Figs. 3 and 5, it is desirable to substitute a. metal shank stiffener in place of the arch supporting member 3 or as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 the two may beused together. 40

Such a metal reinforcement is indicated at H in Figs. 3 to 6. The essential requirement of the metal reinforcement II is that it be of suiiicient length to bridge the space between the pointed braces 1 and 8.

The bridge ll may be moulded in the sole as shown in Figs. 3 and 6 or it may, as may a corrective arch support, be forced into a sole I at any time. Its characteristics will depend upon its use, but I have shown in the drawing essential features.

These features relate to the proper anchorage of the bridge II. In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the metal bridge H to be moulded into the sole is formed with a plurality of holes l3 (see Fig. 5) through which the rubber may flow to lock the bridge II in place. Such a bridge Il may also include, particularly when it is to be forced through a sole as suggested in Fig. 4, one or two downturned ends l2 which are preferably anchored in the pointed braces I and 8 and may be shaped to correspond to the shape of the braces I and 8 as shown in Fig. 5.

The bridge H is shaped to present the desired curve which depends on the height of the heel 2. As the bridge H is of light stock, it is preferably provided with a reinforcing groove indicated at M in Figs. 3, 5, and 6.

In Fig. 4, I have also shown that the heel 2 the arch supporting member 3, and the projecting member 4 may be added to any sole I and secured thereto in any desired Way.

It will be seen that my invention permits the arch zone to be properly protected while preserving the appearance of the sole and permitting the sole to be as flexible as desired.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A moulded rubber sole including a heel having a beveled and pointed front edge, a beveled and pointed portion of said sole projecting rearwardly of the break line, and an arch supporting member having V-shaped recesses partially flanking said points whereby said sole may be readily flexed.

2. A moulded rubber sole including a heel having a beveled and pointed front edge, a beveled and pointed sole projection extending rearwardly of the break line, an arch supporting member having V-shaped recesses therein partially flanking said points to preserve the flexibility of the sole, and a metal shank reinforcement bridging said arch supporting member and being anchored in said heel and said sole projection.

3. A moulded rubber sole including a heel hav ing a beveled and pointed front edge, a pointed sole projection extending rearwardly of the break line, an arch supporting member having V- shaped recesses therein partially flanking said points, and said arch supporting member having a forwardly tapered surface.

4. A moulded rubber sole including a heel having a beveled and pointed front edge, a beveled and pointed sole projection extending rearwardly of the break line, an arch supporting member having V-shaped recesses therein partially flanking said points to preserve the flexibility of the sole, a metal shank reinforcement bridging said arch supporting member, and said shaft including downwardly turned V-shaped ends to be anchored in said beveled points.

5. In combination with a sole, a heel having a beveled forwardly projecting front edge, a beveled projection extending rearwardly of the break line of the sole, and an arch supporting member having oppositely disposed recesses partially flanking said beveled front edge of said heel and said beveled projection.

6. In combination with a sole, a heel having a projecting beveled front edge, and an arch supporting member having a recess on its rear edge, said recessed member being spaced from and partially flanking said projection.

7. A moulded rubber sole including a heel, a shank, a fore part having a projecting portion rearwardly of the break line of the sole, and an integral arch supporting member spaced from and partially flanking said projecting portion.

8. A moulded rubber sole comprising a heel, a shank and a fore part, said fore part having a rearward projection of increased thickness extending rearwardly medially of the shank and into the shank region, and said heel having a forward projection medially of and within said shank region, and an arch support included in said shankbetween said heel and fore part projections, said arch support comprising a metal bridge anchored at one end in said heel projection and at its other end in said thickened fore part projection.

9. In combination with a sole, a projection on said sole rearwardly of its break line, a heel, and an arch supporting member spaced apart from said heel and said projection, adjacent walls of said member, said heel and said projection being shaped to lie in partially flanking relation.

DON C. HUBBARD. 

